Dell plans to repay much of the incentives money it received since opening a computer production plant in Winston-Salem four years ago.
The company shocked state and local officials Wednesday when it announced that it will close the factory in January, and lay off the remaining 905 workers.
Dell was lured to Winston-Salem by the promise of an incentives package worth as much as $280 million. But most of that money hinged on the company meeting hiring goals and keeping the factory open.
Winston-Salem issued a statement saying that Dell has promised to repay $15.6 million it has received so far from the city. And the company will give back $1.5 million it got from the state for meeting hiring goals in 2006 and 2007, N.C. Commerce Department spokeswoman Katharine Neal said today.
The company was eligible to receive another $1 million for meeting 2008 targets, but won't get that money, Neal said.
Dell has received a total of about $8.5 million from the state, but $3.6 million went toward workforce training that won't be repaid, Neal said. That money is "an investment that will continue to benefit individuals and employers," she wrote in an e-mail.
Dell officials also have pledged to provide workers with severance packages and help them find others jobs. About 600 workers will be laid off next month and the rest will lose their jobs early next year.
Assistant Business Editor Alan M. Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work&Money section. He lives in Clayton with his wife and two children. Reach him at 919-829-4572 or 
